MPV Commentary

The Progress of the New Cause Leads to the Arrest of the Apostles

12. Solomon's Porch--This was a large outdoor area where people would gather (see John 10:23).

13-16. The unconverted Jews were intimidated by what had happened and did not dare to join themselves to the apostles, but despite this, the number of believers continued to grow.

15. They were spreading the message in every street, on beds and couches alike--a testament to the widespread appeal of their teaching.

The shadow of Peter's presence seemed to overshadow some of them, much like Elisha had done (compare Acts 19:12; Luke 8:46). This was a fulfillment of Jesus' prediction that Peter would be a guiding spirit in the early church (Matthew 16:18).

17-23. The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection and the afterlife, were particularly opposed to the apostles (see Acts 4:1 for more on why this group is mentioned).

19. They arrested the apostles that same night.

20. The apostles had been proclaiming the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ, which was at the heart of their teaching.

21. Undaunted, they entered the temple and called together all the members of the Sanhedrin--an unusually large gathering, hastily summoned in response to the situation.

23. But when the guards arrived at the prison, they found it locked up tight, with the keepers standing before the doors, but no one inside--the opposite of what had happened earlier (Acts 16:26), and a stark contrast to the miraculous catches of fish (Luke 5:6; John 21:11).

24-26. The apostles were perplexed by this turn of events.

26. They were released without violence, but only because they feared the crowd's reaction--a testament to their hardened hearts, despite being surrounded by the miraculous signs of God's presence with the apostles.